HIBRARY OF CONGRESS. # 
# # 









! UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. | 



ROBERT OF WOODLEIGH 



AND 



Other Poems. 



BY 

PHILIP STOI^EE. 




1^ 



y NEW YORK: 

JAMES MILLER, PUBLISHEK, 
C47 BROADWAY. 

1872. 



-f^^l 



*dp-^ 



Entered according to act of Congress in the year 1872, by 

JAMES MILLEE, 

In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. 



liANGE, Little & Hillman, 

Pkinters, s 

108 to 114 WoosTKR St., N. Y. 



TO MY PEIEOT), 

E. A. SOTHEElSr, Esq., 

THIS VOLUME IS INSCEIBED 

By the Author, 

PHILIP STONER. 



PROEMIAL. 

When poesy first woke within my breast, 
Its gentle murmur left a vague unrest : 

A passion grew upon me day by day — 
A yearning after something far away. 

Oft, ere these numbers rude were rudely trac'd, 
I wrote a name on high — 'twas e'er effac'd ! 

The boon I crav'd, I deem'd the world denied, 
And in the bitterness of soul I cried: 

"Must pen be dipt in flame to write a name 
Eternally upon the scroll of Fame ? 



6 PROEMIAL. 

I'd better be a lout with obscure name, 
And plod through life with unimpassion'd soul, 
Than have this constant longing after fame, 
Yet coming none the nearer to the goal. 

I'd better have my life a simple story; . 
I'd better be the lowest of the lowly, 
Than have this eager, burning thirst for glory. 
And see it nearing not at all, or slowly." 

This truth I 've learn'd : " Than never, better late." 
There are no fairer words than "Work and wait." 

If in these pages aught you find to blame — 
Where numbers halt, or feebly burns the flame. 
Be generous, and censure light the part; 
Pray, deem it lack of genius, more than heart. 

New Yoke City, January^ 1873. 




CONTENTS. 



EOBEET OF WOODLEIGH: 



PAGE 



Part L— Exiled 11 

1— L'Allegra. (Joy) 13 

2 — The Eeaper's Song 16 

3— Glee of Harvest-Singers 20 

Part IT. — Ii;^ Camp 23 

1— The Sentry's Song 29 

Part III.— The Return 33 

1 — La Pensierosa. (Sadness). 34 

UNDER THE SNOW 45 

POEMS OF MEMORY: 

The Old Bible 63 

A Remembrance 66 

Little Ben 68 

Gold-Brown Hair 71 

Woodbine 73 

Fre Something to Tell 76 

A Reminiscence of Youth 78 

The Southern Maid's Lament 80 



8 CONTENTS. 

PAGE 

Dreaming 82 

An Autumn Storm 84 

Withered Violets 87 

A Morning Eamble 89 

MISCELLANEOUS POEMS: 

The Doomed City 94 

WeVe Gone-Thro' Life Together... 96 

Never Despair 98 

A Summer Ehyme 100 

Odd Joe, the Organ-Grinder 103 

Magdalene, A Sequel to " Odd Joe".. 107 
Smithsonian Park in Spring-time. . . 110 

Waiting for Another Kiss 114 

A Quandary 117 

Skating Pleasures 120 

Is it Wrong to Kiss? 122 

Modern Wedding-Eites 124 

A Child's Logic 126 

After the Play 12.7 

THE FEVEE DEEAM : 

Prologue 130 

The Dream.— Cupid's Folly 131 



ROBERT OF WOODLEIGH. 



ROBERT OF WOODLEIGH. 

A POEM. 

IN THREE PARTS. 



PART I. 

EXILED. 

Deep in the bosom of Yirginia hills 

There lay a tiny lake, whose placid breast, 

Surrounded by a panoply of pines. 

Was ruffled never by the ruder blasts 

Which, ever and anon, swept o'er the heights. 

Toward the north, upon a single hill, 

Above the crests of evergreen, arose 

The Convent's ivied walls and turrets gray; 

Toward the west the grim, dark forest lay 

Upon a thousand wave-like mountain-tops. 



12 BOBERT OF WOODLEIGH. 

The waters of the eastern border bathed 

The rocky feet of overhanging cliiFs, 

Whose haughty summits pierced the very sky, 

And frown'd their shadows on tlie glassy lake ; 

While to the south, upon a green, which sloped 

Toward the lake, the front of Woodleigh Hall 

Was dimly seen amid a grove of pines. 

Beyond, a valley, rich in growing grain, 

And rip'ning fruit, and fields of pasture rare, 

And bubbling springs, and silver rivulets, 

In all the beauty of an Eden lay. 

• 

At Woodleigh dwelt Judge Leeson and his sons — 
Robert, the eldest, talf, and dark, and proud ; 
And Maurice, fair, and slight, and delicate ; 
And though the Judge was father to them both, 
They yet were not full brothers. Either claim'd 
A mother for himself — both now in Heav'n. 

At Woodleigh, with the Leesons, liv'd a maid — 

A kinswoman of Leeson's latest wife. 

And she was very fair to look upon; 

And both the sons loved her ; and she loved both, 



ROBERT OF WOODLEIOE. 13 

And could not choose which brother pleas'd hei- 

most. 
For she was fond of praise — as who is not ? — 
And either by her side, the other gone, 
She deem'd the present lord of all her heart. 
And life was in its Spring, and love was yonng, 
And love made all her heart a joyous song. 



L'ALLEGRA. 

{Joy) 



" All nature sweetly smiles around ; 

In all the air is heard the hum 
Of joyous life, and from the ground 

The flowers tell that Spring has come. 
The swallow gossips in the sky, 

The humming bee is on the wing. 
And gentle breezes, drifting by, 

From southern climes sweet odors bring. 

" The wood resounds with song of birds. 
The brook is singing in the vale ; 



14 ROBERT OF WOODLEIGH. 

And tinkling bells of browsing herds 
Are ecboed back from hill and dale. 

The apple-blossoms lightly dance, 

The meads are spangled o'er with dew; 

And, rev'ling in the sun's bright glance. 
The cloudlets play in fields of blue. 

" My heart is like the sweet spring-time — 

Upon a golden flood I drift; 
For youth and hope are in their prime, 

And love makes youthful blood run swift. 
ISTo cloud obscures my future sky, 

My sails are blown by zephyrs sweet; 
A fairy-land is flitting by, 

And love sits, smiling, at my feet." 

ISTow Maurice linger'd ever by her side. 

And prais'd her azure eyes, and golden hair; 

But Eobert kept his passion in his heart, 

For he was proud, and would not bring himself 

To speak — though love betray'd him thro' his eyes. 

And Eodney Gray — for he was Eobert's friend — 

Oft counsel'd Robert to reveal his love, 



ROBERT OF WOOBLEIGE. 15 

And learn her heart; that if she loved him not, 

Another he might seek to be his wife. 

But Kobert— for he loved her— answer'd "Wait!" 

But Amy Winthrope, after many days, 
Began to weary of the younger son; 
For he was ever with her, pressing her 
To listen to his plea and be his wife. 
And often when the time dragg'd heavily — 
For, being gently' rear' d, her idle hours 
Were many — would she steal away alone, 
To wander o'er the farm. 

One spot she loved — 
A rising knoll, which might have been a wave 
Left by the Flood, so gently did it slope. 
Upon the left a path crept to its foot, 
And mingled with the wide and dusty road, 
Which, like a serpent, wound among the hills. 
Upon the right broad fields of waving grain 
Lay rip'ning in the sun. And here, beneath 
The shade of overhanging vines, she loved 
To dream away the drowsy summer-hours. 



16 ROBERT OF WOOBLEIGH. 

Until the sun fell slowly down the west, 

And daylight waned, and night came on apace. 

It chanc'd that when the grain was fully ripe, 
Reclining on the slope, she watch'd the men, 
With sun brown'd faces, reaping in the fields. 
And Robert Leeson reap'd among the men. 
For since his sire had grown in years, the care 
And burden of the farm had fall'n to him; ' " 
And though too proud to speak his dearest wish 
To one he fear'd would spurn his proffer'd love, 
He deem'd not honest toil a want of pride. 
And as he walk'd with measur'd tread, and reap'd 
The grain, he humm'd a plaintive air ; which, caught 
Upon the breeze, was wafted to the hill. 



THE REAPER'S SONG. 

"Come hither, gentle summer-breeze, 

And list to what I say; 
The sun is liot, the hours are long, 

My heart is sad to-day. 



ROBERT OF WOODLEIGH. 17 

*^ Come hither, gentle summer-breeze, 

And cool my burning brow, 
And whisper softly in my ear 

If Amy loves me now. 

" Go, seek her in her lone retreat : 

Hide in her golden hair. 

And learn her heart : if vacant still, 

Oh ! breathe my image there. 

" Or, haste away to Cupid's bower. 

And bid him lend a dart, 
And dip 't in violets' perfume, 

And strike it in her heart. 

" Oh ! hasten, gentle summer-breeze ; 

1^0 w, heed thee what I say : 
The sun is hot, the hours are long. 

My heart is sad to-day." 

Kow Amy saw that he was strong and lithe — 
The fairest reaper in the harvest-field; 
And as she watch'd his form bend gracefully. 
And heard his song, her bosom rose and fell 
Like waving meadow-grass in summer-time, 



18 ROBERT OF WOODLEIGH. 

And then she knew that he had all her heart. 
And long she mused, as in a waking dream, 
!Nor moved until the reapers homeward turn'd. 
And slowlj fell the sun behind the hills. 
And daylight waned, and darkness fill'd the land. 

Still Robert's love spoke only from his eyes; 
But when he saw that . Amy seem'd to watch 
His coming home at eve, and crimson flush'd, 
If e'er he took her hand or spoke her name^ 
]^ew courage quickly sprung wdthm his heart. 
And once again he counsel'd with his friend. 
JSTow Rodney Gray had come to say farewell. 
The captain of a foreign ship had come 
To be his father's guest, and Rodney pleas'd 
The captain, that he proffer'd him a place 
Upon his ship, and opportunity 
To cross the sea and visit foreign climes. 
And Rodney's father, loth to lose his son, 
Had but consented after many prayers. 
And now he'd come to bid his friend farewell. 
And nrg'd him, if he held his pleasure aught. 
To speak his love and Amy take to wife. 
That when his" friend was far across the sea 



ROBERT OF WOOBLEIGH. 19 

He still might have a friend as dear as he. 
Then Robert promis'd, when the harvest-work 
Was done, to give his heart and plead for her's. 
So Eodnej bade farewell and went his way. 

Yet still his plea the younger brother pled ; 
And when the harvest-sheaves were gather'd in, 
And all the implements of toil laid by. 
And Woodleigh rang with shouts of mirth. 
He drew her from among the merry guests, 
And lured her on, with soft and honey 'd S]3eech, 
Across the slope, and thro' the moonlit wood, 
And halted on the summit of the cliif 
"Which overhung the lake, and sued again 
With all the fervor of his ardent tongue. 
And laughing, vowed if she his passion spurn'd. 
To cast himself into the lake below. 
And from the distant vale the harvest-glee 
Was faintly borne — a joyous melody. 



20 ROBERT OF WOODLEiaS. 



GLEE OF HARVEST-SINGERS. 

' * The summer sun is down the west ; 

The barley, wheat, and clover 
Are gathered in. From toil we rest — 

The harvest-days are over. 

"The moon is up, the stars are out, 

The dew is slowly falling; 
O'er hill and dale, with merry shout, 

Our joyful hearts are calling. 

"While lovers wander — youth and maid — 

Away alone together. 
To seek the sweet secluded shade 

Of mountain-vine, or heather, 

" We wa,nder on from home to home, 
Both cot and mansion greeting. 

The mountain-echo, as we roam. 
Our Harvest-song repeating." 



ROBERT OF WOODLEIGH, 21 

Kow Eobert saw the twain desert the Hall, 
And through his breast shot pangs of jealous rage ; 
He foUow'd, hidden by the veil of night, 
And crouch'd behind a tree upon the cliff; 
But when that foolish vow was said, he rose, 
And stood a spectre in the clear moonlight. 
One glance of jealous hate he cast, then spoke. 
" Poor fool !" " A listener !" the other said — 
"You've leave to call me so, you baby-fool!" 



Then heated words led on to bitter oaths, 
Till Maurice, roused, in angry passion said, 
"'T were better far to be the fool you think 
Than that you here have proved yourself — a spy!" 
The elder brother closed his hand in rage, 
And struck it madly in the other's face, 
And dash'd him headlong down the precipice! 
One shriek of mingl'd fright and bafE'd rage 
Ascended from the water's ruffl'd breast. 
And then the startl'd waves resum'd their calm, 
And circling ripples widen'd into naught, 
Unheedful of the struggling life beneath. 



22 ROBERT OF WOODLEIOH. 

Ah ! then the brother wonld a world have giv'n 
Could he recall that rash and dreadful deed ! 
His anger quickly chang'd to wildest grief. 
He loath'd the fainting maiden at his feet, 
And imprecations heap'd on her — the cause. 
The moon conceal'd her face behind a cloud, 
And, to his ear, the zyphyrs seem'd a shriek; 
And with a fearful word upon his lips. 
One frighten'd glance he cast behind, and fled ! 

Across the lake the Convent bells rang out 
A requiem upon the silent air, 
And far away the Harvest-Singers' glee 
Was faintly heard — a mournful melody. 





PART II. 



IN CAMP. 



A threat'ning cloud had gathered in the skj, 
The gloom of war was hanging o'er the land ; 
The deepest woe a nation's heart could feel — 
Its life-blood threaten'd by its children's hands — 
Had fall'n like early frost among the flow'rs. 
A nation stood array'd against itself, 
And treason's banner flaunted to the breeze. 
The cannon's throat grew hoarse with shouts of 

death, 
And deadly instruments of war loud clash'd, 
And shrieks, and groans, and curses rent the air, 
And warriors slain were piled in hecatombs. 



24 ROBERT OF WOODLEIGH. 

And thick, black clouds of smoke arose and hung 
Between the Earth and Heav'n, to keep the stench 
Of war from Heaven's nostrils. 

l^ight had come. 
The battle had been fought and dearly won, 
And all was silent in the G'rilla camp, 
Save, now and then, the stamp or neigh of steed, 
Or groan of battle-stricken warrior. 
To smould'ring embers had the watch-fires burnt, 
When from the distant hill a bugle-call 
Arous'd the sentry from his drowsy muse ; 
And " Who goes there ? " was borne upon the 

breeze, 
And answer'd back, ''A friend. A prisoner 
We bring unto the chief — a spy, we think." 
A guard was summon'd, and the prisoner 
In close confinement plac'd until the morn. 

The sun began to streak the eastern sky 
In gold and red, and birds their matins sung 
As cheerily as though no curse of w^ar 
Had ever swept a nation to its death. 



ROBERT OF WOODLEIOH. 25 

The morning drum and bugle woke the troops, 
And call'd them from their tents. 



The Captain rose 
And summon'd all his chiefest warriors, 
And form'd a council, and advisement took 
Concerning him who, at the midnight hour. 
Was brought a captive bound into the camp. 



Then those were call'd who had surpris'd the 

man. 

Who made averment 'gainst him for a spy, 

Eelating how they found him near the camp. 

Who, when surpris'd, had sought to make away, 

And how, when apprehended, he had fought 

So mightily, they were constrain'd to bind 

His arms, lest he should take the life of one; 

And how upon his person they had found 

A paper, which they, being men unlearn'd, 

Could not divine. The paper being shown, 

A passport from the ISTorthern Army prov'd. 

2 



26 BOBEBT OF WOODLEIGH. 

The witnesses dismiss'd, the Council held 
A consultation, and declar'd the spy, 
Bj rigid rule of war, should die. 

The prisoner was brought to hear his doom ; 
And when before his arbiters he stood. 
And saw for him no glance of sympathy, 
And knew that death would be his certain fate, 
He trembl'd not, but stood erect and proud ; 
And no defence he made, nor pled for life. 
Then said the chieftain, " Have you naught to say ? 
You have been judged a spy, and know your 

doom. 
Yet, join our band, and life to you is spar'd." 
A glance of scorn he threw at him who spoke, 
And said : " I have been judg'd a spy ? By 

whom ? 
]^ot by my peers, for they are loyal men. 
And such, beside myself, I see not here. 
If warring 'gainst my country's enemies, 
And battling for the honor'd Stars and Stripes — 
The proudest flag that floats upon the breeze — 
Deserves the shameful death you've mark'd for me. 



ROBERT OF WOODLEIGH. 27 

Then be it so. And yet I am no spy ; 

Chance threw me in your way. But no ; I scorn 

To ask one hour of life from such as you ! 

And though you hold my life at beck or nod, 

I tell you I am proud to be your foe ! 

And if you tore my heart from out my breast, 

I would defy you ; for what patriot 

Deems not his country's glory more than life ?" 



A silence fell upon the councillors — 

'Twas but the stillness that precedes the storm — 

And then a show'r of execrations fell. 

And loudly did they clamor for his death. 

The chief alone remain'd unmov'd and calm. 

"" You're bold," he said. " If you are, then, no 

spy, 

Pray tell us quickly who and what you are ?" 
His only answer was a look of scorn. 
" If still you spurn our counsel to redeem 
Tour forfeit life, we fain would know your 

name." 
But sullen, proud, defiant still he stood. 
The chieftain then, with angry gesture, said: 



28 ROBERT OF WOODLEIGH. 

" Your name, I fear, is not an honor'd one. 
Else would yon never shame to speak it here." 
" Asliam'd to speak my name ! 'Tis Rodney 

Gray !" 
At mention of that name the chieftain reel'd, 
A deadly pallor spread upon his face, 
And, feigning pain, he broke the council up, 
With order that the captive be confin'd. 
And guarded 'gainst a more convenient hour. 



For hours the night had blotted out the sun. 
Again the camp was wrapt in deepest gloom — 
Such gloom as comes before the coming moon, 
Who, still an hour undue, the stars essay'd 
To light the world until her presence paled 
Their feeble gleam. The owl woke in the dell — 
The only sound that stirr'd the slumb'ring air. 
The night was chill, and as the sentry paced, 
With measur'd, noiseless tread, he drew his cloak 
In closer folds about his form, and humm'd, 
In voice scarce audible, a song of home : 



ROBERT OF WOODLEIGR. 29 



THE SENTRY^S SONG. 

. " Sleep, soldier, sleep ! and dream, of home ! 

Leave battle-thoiiglits for waking; 
And in thy slumber lightly roam 

Where waves are gently breaking 
Against a flower-teeming land, 

Where orange-trees are blooming, 
And satin-leav'd magnolias stand, 

The Southern air perfuming. 

" Sleep, soldier, sleep ! and dream of love, — 

1^0 danger shall betide thee, — 
And, dreaming, wander in a grove. 

Thy heart's dear choice beside thee. 
Or, di'eam the dawn of blessed peace, 

For which all hearts are yearning; 
In slumber see the battle cease. 

And dream the home-returning." 

The sentry paus'd. A sound of footsteps fell 
Upon his wakeful ear. His challenge-word 



30 ROBERT OF WOODLEIOH. 

Was quickly answer'd by his chieftain's voice. 
" I've come to see the captive spy," he said ; 
" Unbar the door — and haste — the night is cold ; 
And when I've pass'd, walk yonder — keep aloof — 
And on your peril come you not within 
My voice's easy range, save when I call." 
The soldier bow'd, and turn'd the rusty lock, 
And went his way. 

Within a dreary hut, 
But dimly lighted by a single torch, 
Upon a bed of straw, lay Rodney Gray, 
With limbs so firmly bound the flesh was cold; 
And in his troubl'd dream he heard his name, 
And waking, saw a figure by his side. 
And thought it but the phantom of his dream. 
"Wake, Rodney Gray! I've come to set you free!" 
The figure stoop'd and cut the thongs apart. 
And when the hot blood fill'd the deaden'd limbs. 
The captive rose, and said : " Who are you, friend ? 
Why come to loose my limbs, and bid me hope? 
I was resign'd, and not afeard to die. 
But now that life springs in my heart anew, 
I fear I could not die as soldiers should !" 



ROBERT OF WOOBLEIGH. 31 

"Fear not; I have the pow'r to make you free, 
And so you shall be. Yet before you go, 
One word I crave— some tidings of my home. 
If mem'ry clings to you as't does to me, 
You will remember in your youth a friend — 
The sharer of your sorrows and your sports — 
One Eobert Leeson, heir of Woodleigh Farm ?" 
"I do remember such," the captive said. 
"Have near ten years of sorrow made a change 
So great, you fail to know me, Eodney Gray?" 
:Not so! He knew him then, and grasp'd his hand, 
And held it long. And Eobert Leeson wept— 
The first tears shed by him for ten long years. 

But naught of Eobert's home the captive knew. 
He, too, had been a rover all these years; 
But this he knew — what Eobert also knew — 
That in the Northern army Eobert's sire 
A foremost leader was. And that was all. 

":tTow hasten, Eodney Gray! The moon is up, 
And dawn must see you safe beyond these hills ; 
If here you loiter death must be your doom." 



32 BOBEBT OF WOOBLEIGH. 

" Dear Eobert, leave this life, and come with me. 
Come, battle for the dear old Flag. Come home 1" 
"Come home! J^aj, Rodney; w6uld to God I 

could ! 
These hands are crimson with a brother's blood, 
And never more that home will welcome me !" 
" !N"a7, Robert, friend ; this night will half atone 
That deed ; for have you not a brother's love 
Shown me? — And in the Calendar of Heav'n 
A brother's love stands next to love of God." 



The moon was rising o'er the eastern hills, 
And silvering the tips of higher trees, 
Who cast a shade of gloom across the vale — 
Made denser by the vapor-cloud that rose 
Above the ground. A pathway thro' the mist 
The fugitive enforc'd ; and w^hen the sun 
Arose to chase the mists away, he stood, 
A soldier free, within the Union camp. 




PART III. 



THE RETURN. 

The war was ended, and tlie sun of Peace 

Shone brigMy over fair Yirginia's hills. 

At Woodleigh Farm the harvest had been reap'd, 

And all the winter-fruit was gathered in. 

The storehouse groan'd with overflow of corn; 

For not in many years the farm had grown 

So rich a harvest. Leeson was return'd, 

A hero, brown'd by war and battle-scarr'd ;, 

Had doff'd his war-apparel, and the plain 

Habiliments of peace resnm'd ; and all 

Was as it had been, save the aching void 

In Amy's breast, which never could be iilPd 

While Hobert came not. 

2* 



34 BOBERT OF WOOBLEIGH. 

Ten long years had wrought 
A change in Amy scarce perceptible ; 
Yet riper seem'd her beauty. There are those 
Who seem as bless'd with youth perennial, 
And she was one of these. As long ago 
She loved to roam the fields and climb the hills, 
And tell her heart in song, so roam'd she now; 
But sadder now her heart, and sad her song. 



LA PENSIEROSA. 

{Sadness.) 

" The distant wood is smoky blue, 

The hills look through a mystic haze, 
The valley turns a purple hue. 

And mourns the fading summer-days. 
The leaves are whirling from the trees 

Into tlie hollows of the hills. 
The wail .of Autumn fills the breeze 

And mingles with complaining rills. 



ROBERT OF WOODLEIOH. 35 

" The cold ]^ovember rain descends 

Upon the meadows, bare and brown; 
The bee his way to shelter wends, 

For all the fiow'rs are stricken down. 
The birds to southern climes have flown, 

The ghostly trees send forth a wail; 
And gentle summer- winds have grown 

As chilling as a hand of mail. 



"My heart is like the Autumn-time; 

For memory recalls the past, 
When youth and hope were in their prime, 

And love made youthful blood run fast. 
My heart bewails its summer-day, 

Although my lips refuse to tell 
Of one so loved, now far away — 

Too far to hear love's dying knell." 



As lovers, parting, part reluctantly, 

So round the neck of Winter, Summer hung. 

And supplicated longer lease of life. 

T>ut Winter, as a lover wrong'd in love. 



36 ROBERT OF WOODLEIOR. 

Grim satisfaction feels in pow'r to scorn, 

With, freezing breath, her clinging fingers numb'd, 

And swept her from him with , an icy blast. 

Old Boreas unlock'd his frosty chain, 

And calling 'round him all the whistling winds, 

Dash'd on, and blotted out the golden hues 

Which l^ature's dreamy artist painted there. 

'Twas Christmas-eve. As night came slowly on, 

A snowy carpet gather' d o'er the fields. 

And feath'ry flakes were chas'd by fitful winds 

In whirling eddies through the leafless trees. 

Before a crackling blaze of hick'ry logs. 

His head bent, musingly, upon his breast, 

Judge Leeson sat. And ever and anon, 

A long-pent sigh stole upward from his heart, 

And 'scap'd half audibly between his lips. 

And Amy, as she could her presence spare — 

For she prepar'd the evening meal — would bend, 

And loving, press her lips upon his cheek. 

And smooth the silver'd hair from off his brow. 

The aged man would bless her for her love. 

And sink again into his former mood. 



ROBERT OF WOODLEIOR. 37 

Upon another form the firelight glow'd — 
'Twas one, whose fitful starts, and vacant eyes. 
And strange behavior, told of Reason's fliglit ; 
And often as the aged man would look 
Upon the harmless madman's pensive face, 
He sadly shook his head and silent wept. 
And Amy watch'd the motion of his eyes. 
And knew his grief; and, mov'd to bitter tears, 
Knelt by his knee, and took his hand, and said: 
"Dear Uncle, I well know your thoughts to-night — 
While other happy fathers have their sons. 
You mourn your loss !" 

"N'ay, darling, do not weep; 
'Twas not your fault," he said. 

" It was my fault — 
Oh! that I had been exil'd in, his stead!" 
The farmer-soldier drew her to his breast, 
And brush'd her golden hair, and sooth'd her grief; 
And when her sobs were hush'd a stillness reign'd, 
Unbroken save by moaning winds without. 
The crackling blaze within, and swaying vines 
Against the casement ticking drearily. 



38 ROBERT OF WOODLEIOH. 

Far down the valley, battling with the storm, 

A lonely trav'ler made his weary way 

Toward the well-known beacon-light, which starr'd 

The sloping hillside near a mile away. 

" Home !" trerabl'd on the Exile's lips ; " Dear 

home ! 
Once more I near thee after ten long years 
Of weary wandering. Dare I go on? 
One glance may bring more anguish than these 

years 
Of doubt. Unoccupied may be the chairs ; 
Strange faces may surround the hearthstone now. 
Ah, no ; I must go on — suspense is death !" 
The storm grew fiercer, and the blinding snow 
Dash'd in his face, as though to drive him back. 
Still, on he struggl'd, up the hill, where grew 
The hazel-copses; and where oft, a boy, 
He'd play'd among the green, low-growing pines. 
But when he near'd the well-remember' d cliff, 
A shudder shook his frame. " Oh, God !" he 

groan'd, 
" Would I'd been dash'd down yonder cliff instead ! 
Poor Maurice ! Oh ! it seems the long, long years 



BOBEBT OF WOODLEIGR, 39 

Of anguish and remorse I have endur'd 
Might now atone for that one heedless act!" 
A voice seem'd whisp'ring on the winter- wind: 
" Though scarlet be your sins, they shall be made 
White as the snow!" 

" Oh ! would it might be so ! 
But such a crime ! My God ! Cain bore his 

mark — 
The cursed stain of murder — to the grave I 
This weight is hard to bear. — God give me 

strength !" 
And so he plodded on. 

The Hall loom'd up 
From out the darkness as he nearer drew. 
How like of old it seem'd ! There was the same 
Familiar window, with its climbing vines ; 
The same soft light, that gleam'd out Hke a star, 
Through white-fring-d curtains, loop'd in festoons 

back. 
Above the odorous geraniums ; 
The same tall pines, now whistling in the wind ; 



40 BOBEBT OF WOODLEIGH. • 

The same long porch, all white with drifts of 

snow ; — 
And he alone was chang'd ! 

A single look, 
And forth again in exile he mnst go ! 
One moment there he stood irresolute. 
Then from the window drew the deaden'd vines. 
Yes, there his father, silver-hair'd and how'd, 
But living still ; and Amy at his knee. 
Grown lovelier with lapse of years ; and love 
Kose up, with ten-fold power, in his breast. 
While gazing on that face whose beauty had, 
Long years agone, allur'd him to the deed 
That made his after-life an agony. 
" But, God of mercy ! Look ! What form is 

that ? 
It cannot be ! — My brother ! — Do I dream ? 
Dear God ! If this is madness, let me die !" 
He tore the vines away, and look'd again — . 
He shriek' d aloud, and thunder' d at the door. 
And soon was clasp'd upon his father's breast ; 
And Amy, wild with joy, held both his hands 
And wept. 



ROBERT OF WOODLEIGH. 41 

But Maurice took no heed of all. 
"Dear Maurice, give me welcome," Robert said; 
" Forgive the past, or else my heart will break !" 
Then, when he knew that Keason long had flown. 
He took his brother's hand, and call'd his name. 
The madman started, raised his eyes and stared. 
And held his head in list'ning attitude ; 
And when the brother spoke again his name, 
A gleam of sanity shot o'er his face, 
A mighty weight was lifted from his brain, — 
His mind was clear — ^he rose, and knew them all. 

The aged man then call'd his elder son. 
And beckon' d Amy Winthrope to his side. 
And plac'd their hands together, palm to palm. 
" Be not afraid to take her hand, my boy ; 
She loved you best, and waited all these years." 

The storm against the casement flung the sleet. 
The wind shriek'd dismally among the pines ; 
But winter-storm could not disturb the joy, 
Xor mar the peaceful dreams that Christmas-eve — 
The happiest ever known at Woodleigh Farm. 



43 BOBEBT OF WOODLEIOH. 

So, Robert's years of penance now were o'er, 
And Amy's love made life a dream of joy. 
But Rodney Gray had fallen in the war; 
And Robert brought him to his native home, 
And rear'd above his head a costly stone, 
And planted weeping-willows at his feet. 




UNDER THE SNOW. 



UNDER THE SNOW. 



I. 

Dark was the niglit, and the rain felLfast — 
. Swept down from the yielding cloud ; 
And the storm came on with a warning blast. 

And the winds grew fierce and loud ; 
And the snow-banks melted and leaped in rills, 
Over the rocks to the foot of the hills, 
There met in a shower of spray, 
And merrily rippled away. 

II. 

The great pine fell from its towering pride. 
Struck down by the furious blast ; 

But the lone Red Inn by the mountain-side. 
Unseen by the storm, was passed. 



46 UNDER THE SNOW. 

And the men sat round in the bright, warm glow, 
With never a thought of the rain or snow, 
And the jest and the mirth rose high, 
As the bottle and glass went bj. 



III. 

The red flame roared in the broad fire-place, 

With a cheerful and comforting glow. 
And the warm light danced on the clean-swept 
• fac'b 
Of the solid brick hearth below. 
And a fragrance arose from the black coflTee-pot, 
Which steamed on the hearth over coals red-hot; 
And the wine-bottles, grouped in the stalls, 
Quaint shadows threw on the gray walls. 



The stout oaken door, on its hinges of wood. 
Swung back with a clattering sound. 

And on the dark threshold a strange man stood, 
Half-timidly gazing around. 



UNDER TEE SNO W. 47 

And the wind swept in at the half-ope'd door, 
And showered the rain-drops over the floor; 
And the wine-bottles clrak'd and jarr'd, 
Ere the door was secured' and barr'd. 



Y. 

V 

The stranger was feeble, and old, and lean, 

And his coat was faded and worn; 
His jacket and trowsers and shoes were mean. 

And his hat was dingy and torn. 
And the rain dripp'd down from his coat to the 

floor, 
As, timid and shivering, he stood by the door, 
And, bending his uncovered head, 
In a faltering tone he said: 



YI. 

" Good-evening, sirs. Do I intrude ? 

I'd like to warm me, if I might. 
I may ? I thank you. True for you, 

It is indeed a stormy night ; 



48 UNDER THE SNOW. 

And I have braved the storm since dawn. 

What ? — weary ? Yes, I 'm sorely worn ; 
Indeed, I've traveled far to-day — 

JSTear thirty miles I've walked siiice morn. 

♦ 
YII. 
" You need not laugh, young man ! I know 

My clothes are worn with age and mould. 
But let me tell you, gentlemen. 

It's grief, not age, that makes me old ! 
My life has been a sad one, sirs. 

I was not born like this to roam, 
Begging for bread from door to door — 

I once, like you, had friends and home. 

YIII. 
" You'd like to hear my story ? ISTo ! 

'Twould make me sad— I'm sure it would. 
And yet you've got me talking now. 

The tale may yield — God knows — some good. 
Take something warm ? I^o, no ! Not I ! 

You'll know the reason why, my friend, 
Before one half my story's told. 

I thank you — hope I don't offend. 



UNDER THE SNOW. 49 

IX. 

" I'll warm before the fire, sir — 

The winter warmth which God has sent. 
What, sir ? Oh, yes ; He gave the wine ; 

But for our wholesome use 'twas meant. 
Don't think I'm lecturing, my friends; 

Oh, no ; I'm but a worthless man — 
Sir, if I might a favor ask : 

A draught from yonder coffee-can. 



" I thank you. That's refreshing, sir ! 

I've known such friendliness as this 
But seldom late years. Ah! the past 

Has been more misery than bliss. 
Yet, I a dear home once possess'd — 

A cottage 'neath a sloping hill. 
Where just before the garden-gate 

A foot-plank crossed a rippling rill. 

XI. 

"A chestnut tree, with swinging boughs, 
Grew just beyond the little cot. 



50 UNDER THE SNOW. 

And from its roots a shell-patli ran 
Between two beds of 'Touch-me-not;' 

And creeping vines grew on the roof, 
And trailed along the portico; 

And honeysuckles climbed the door, 
And rose-trees swept the stoop below. 

XII. 

"A deep brook turned a drooning mill — 

A tall red mill with gabled front — 
Half hid by willow-trees, who stood 

Protection from the Storm-king's brunt. 
The granite wheels that crushed the grain 

With lightning whirl and constant moan, 
The huge revolving circle, sped 

By water's weight, were all my own. 

XIII. 

"I had a wife, too; and a child^ 
A dainty creature, six years old, 

With pretty little hands and feet, 

And hair that hung in waves of gold. 



UNDER THE 8N0W. 5] 

I was a favored man, my friends ; 

Hope made the future fair and bright ; 
I loved my wife, my child, my mill — 

IvTo prince could boast a heart more light. 

XIY. 

"And when the long day's toil was done. 

With sunny smiles upon her brow. 
My wife would greet me at the gate — 

God bless her ! She's an angel now ! 
And Bessie — ^yes, sir; that's the child — 

Would climb into my arms and lay 
Her golden head upon my breast, 

Just like a wearied little Fay. 

XY. 

" And in the dusk of summer-eve 

I'd sit beneath the chestnut-tree, 
With wife and Bessie by my side — 

I'm choking with the memory ! 
Oh ! happy, blissful days of yore ! 

Could I but live them o'er again. 
How different my after-Kfe 

Would be. Alas, regi'et is vain 1 



62 UNDER THE SNOW. 

"I took to drinkirifi^ after that. 

I need not tell how I became 
A drunkard, and the jest and scorn 

Of those who once revered my name. 
Across the valley stood the inn, 

Under the beech-trees, on the hill; 
And there I'd go day after day, 

Keglecting wife, child, home, and mill. 

XYII. 

" It wasn't long till poverty 

Came, like a thief, unto our door. 
And stole our comforts one by one ; 

And yet, for all, I sinned the more. 
And Mary's cheek grew pale and thin. 

The blood seemed going drop by drop ; 
The sunny smiles all faded, too. 

I saw that, but I could not stop. 

XYIII. 

" God knows I tried to break it off. 
But when ,the thirst was on my soul, 



UNDER THE SNOW. 53 

I would have bartered hope of Heav'n 
For one draught from the poisoned bowl! 

Oh ! how it stung my fallen pride 

When former friends jeered at my name, 

Or passed me with a glance of scorn — 
I had to drink to drown the shame ! 

XIX. 

" And thus the Summer passed away ; 

And when the chill north- wind foretold 
The Winter's near approach, the mill. 

Long silent from neglect, was sold. 
Our little homestead followed soon, 

To cancel debts long overdue. 
And in a log hut down the vale 

We thought to live the Winter through. 



XX. 

" The stormy weather came at last. 

The bleak winds of December shriek'd 
Among the leafless maple-boughs. 

And beam, and roof, and rafter creak'd. 



54 UNDER THE SNOW. 

But desolation reigned witliin, 
More terrible than Winter's pall; 

For crime-begotten poverty, 

With demon scowl, hung over all. 

XXI. 

" And yet from patient Mary's lips 

l^e'er fell reproach or bitter word. 
My oft-made pledges of reform 

She joyfully, yet doubting, heard. 
Ah ! vain were pledges ! Drink was still 

My bane of life. Within its snare 
It held me, till I loathed myself, 

And slowly yielded to despair. 

XXII. 

" One bitter evening Bessie came 

To urge me home, as oft before 
She'd done. With oaths and cruel words, 

I drove her from the tavern-door. 
My God ! The look of sad reproach 

She gave me, I shall ne'er forget ! 
Though many years have passed, that look 

Of yearning anguish haunts me yet. 



UNDER THE SNOW. 55 

XXIII. 

" Again I see her daintj form 

Close wrapp'd in shawl of faded red ; 
A little, fur-trimmedj woolen hood, 

Scarce covering her golden head. 
Out in the cold she, weeping, went. 

With slow and hesitating tread ; 
Mj gaze went after, till the gloom • 

Hid dainty form and golden head. 

XXIY. 

" The night shut in. A dusky haze 

Had gathered over hill and dale; 
And, whirled before the northern wind. 

The snow-flakes drifted down the vale. 
Faster, and faster still, they fell. 

Until the air was thick as night. 
And hill, and dale, and wood, and field. 

Were mantled with a veil of white. 

XXY. 

"All night the roaring storm swept on; 
All night came down the drifting show'rs; 



56 UNDER THE SNOW. 

And, deeming wife and child safe hous'd, 
In drunken glee I passed the hours. 

At break of day no change had come — 
The snow still drifted from the north; 

And scarce until the hour of noon 
Could one, with safety, venture forth. 



XXYI. 

" With conscience sore, and aching lunbs, 

I homeward toiled through drifts of snow. 
Which, wind-swept from the hills above, 

Had heaped in waves the vale below. 
And far across the dreary waste 

A single smoke-wreath, blue and thin, 
Slow curling o'er my cheerless home. 

Alone gave note of life within. 

XXYII. 

"Yes, drear without; but Oh, within! 

Too soon I learned the dreadful cost 
Of that dark night of revelry — 

My child — God's mercy! She was lost! 



UNDER THE SNOW. 57 

One glance from Marj told the tale 
Ere I had passed the creaking door : 

* My child ! Our Bessie I Not with you ? 
She shrieked, and swooned upon the floor. 

XXYIII. 
" A thunderbolt could not have struck 

Such icy terror through my frame ! 
The winter- winds shrieked ' Murderer ! ' 

And coupled with it Bessie's name. 
The air seemed filled with howling fiends, 

And cold drops started from my brow — 
Some water, there ! I'm smothering I 

I thank you — there — I'm better now. 

XXIX. 

"I need not tell you of the weeks 

Of fruitless search through waste and wild, 
Hoping, yet dreading, each new drift 

I overturned enshrined my child ; 
Nor how my wife — ^poor stricken dove! — 

When time confirmed our Bessie's doom. 
From frantic grief and wild despair. 

Fell into apathetic gloom. 



58 UNDER THE 8N0W. 

XXX. 

"Day after day slie idly sat 

With folded hands and drooping form, 
While deep-drawn sighs and quiv'ring lips 

Betrayed the smothered inward storm. 
And when the Winter's reign was o'er, 

And snowdrifts changed to leaping rills. 
Half-crazed, the livelong day she'd search 

The vales and nooks among the hills. 

XXXI. 

" One April eve, returning not. 

All night I searched, and madly call'd 
Her name. The morning siin reveal'd 

A sight I started from appall'd ! 
A lifeless form upon the ground. 

Some scattered, mould'ring bones beside 
A tattered shawl and fur-trimm'd hood. 

Told where my wife and child had died ! 

XXXII. 

" Down in the valley, by the brook, 
They both rest in a single grave ; 



UNDER THE SNOW. 59 

A rose-tree blossoms either side, 

And overhead the willows wave. 
The brooklet ripples at their feet 
A requiem so sad and sweet, 
That zephyrs halt to catch the strain, 
And murmur it along the plain. 

r 

XXXIII. 

" And now they call me mad ! Ah, no ! 

I'm but an autumn-leaf, storm-driv'n — 
A pilgrim, waiting God's own time 

To join my wife and child in Heav'n. 
For if long years of penance can 

Blot out the sins of early years, 
God knows I have atoned for mine, 

In blinding and repentant tears ! " 




POEMS OF MEMOEY. 



TO 



My Dear Sistees 



BESS and EMILY, 

THESE POEMS OF MEMOEY 
ABE 'aFFEGTIONATELT DEDICATED. 



POEMS OF MEMORY. 



THE OLD BIBLE. 

Two brazen clasps across the front, 

The hinges red with rust ; 
The back all scarred and marred with ao:e. 

And covered o'er with dust. 

The corners dog-eared, soiled and worn, 

And all the leaves displaced ; 
And here and there are penciled lines. 

By father's dear hand traced. 

Upon the walnut-stand it lies 

From morn till evening late ; 
And though it seems like others, yet 

I've never seen its mate. 



64 P0EM8 OF MEMOBT. 

The window faces to the West, 
Where I have often stood, 

Leaning npon that dear old book, 
And gazing t'ward the wood. 

And just beyond, a maple-tree, 
With leaves of em'rald hne, 

Flecks o'er the window-sill with shade, 
And veils the sun from view. 

The garden-path looks just the same 

It did long years agone. 
When I, a child, unknown to care. 

Did ramble there alone. 

The wooden posts, with balls atop. 
Where hangs the garden-gate. 

Are worm-eaten and worn with age. 
And bending 'neath their weight. 

The gate is creaky, and the latch 

Is rusted o'er by time ; 
And up the fast-decaying pales 

Sweet honeysuckles climb. 



POEMS OF MEMORY. 65 

The orcnard, too, though old, remains, — 

The blossoms, pink and white, 
Are just the same thej used to be, 

The colors just as bright. 

And when the rich October month 

Puts on its Autumn suit. 
The trees are loaded just the same, 

With green and golden fruit. 

And yet the orchard, garden-gate. 

The spring, the running brook, 
Can never such remembrance bring 

As that old, time-worn book. 

The brightest garlands of my youth. 

Which memory now weaves. 
Were moments spent by mother's knee, 

Turning for her the leaves. 




A REMEMBRANCE, 

A bjCnk of rugged, fleecy clouds 

Piled up against the azure sky, 
And brilliant lines of gold and red 

Along their changeful edges lie. 
The waning orb of day doth pause 

To tip the trees of em'rald green 
With brighter hues, then sinks to rest 

Behind the glowing western screen. 

Above an ivy-covered roof, 

A tow'ring, haughty willow bends, 
And from the rustic chimney-top 

A wreath of curling smoke ascends ; 
And there, beneath the glancing light, 

It turns to amethystine hue. 
And then dissolves to gossamer, 

And melts into the distant blue. 



POEMS OF ME MOBY. 67 

A group of laughing children stand 

To watch the flick'ring daylight fade ; 
The plough-boy whistles merrily 

While plodding homeward thro' the glade. 
A motley herd of cattle stoop 

To drink from out the running rill, 
And, having quenched their fevered thirst, 

They wander, lowing, up the hill. 

■5f -Sf ^ * * 

A Summer-scene ! — a common view ! 

Yet one most pleasing to the gaze : — 
'Tis sweet remembrances like these 

That soothe and cheer our dying days. 




LITTLE BEN. 

" Mother, darling, don't you think 
I'm well and strong enough to rise, 

And sit outside the cottage-door. 

Beneath the clear blue Autumn skies? 

" This little room is close and dark, 
For scarce a single ray of light 

Can force its way through yonder blind- 
It seems like one perpetual night. 



" When Georgie held the door ajar 
Just now, beyond the orchard -wall 

I saw the ladders 'gainst the trees. 
And heard the ripened apples fall. 



POEMS OF MEMORY. 69 

" I know I won't be strong enough 
To help bring in the fruit this year; 

But, oh I I'd love to sit and watch 
The men and boys at work and hear 

" The apples tumbling to the ground — 

Some gold and green, some striped with red ; 

And some almost as large and round 
As baby Georgie's golden head. 

" Oh ! mother, dear, do let me go ! 

I'm sure 'twould ease this aching pain 
Which throbs about my temples so." 

And Benny pleaded not in vain. 

The Windsor-chair was carried out 
And placed beneath a cooling shade ; 

And 'mong the pillows, snowy white, 
The little invalid was laid. 

The laborers a moment paused 

To kindly greet the master's son ; 

For Benny's gentle spirit had. 

In former days, their friendship won. 



70 POEMS OF MEMORY. 

The blue-bird warbled overhead 

A song of joy and gratitude ; 
And long did little Ben recline 

In blissful, dreamy lassitude. 

But nature wearied out at last ; 

And slumber banished smile or frown — 
The angel Peace came flitting past, 

And pressed the drooping lashes down. 

The sun peeped through the swinging boughs, 

To kiss the waving flaxen hair; 
And Autumn zephyrs gently whirled 

The leaves about the Windsor-chair. 




GOLD-BROV/N HAIR. 

The monarch of light rose up in the East, 

And crimsoned the face of the morn, 
And sent forth a shower of sunlight to feast 

On the acres of barley and corn. 
And the wild-rose lifted its arrogant crest, 
And shook the bright dew from its redolent 
breast ; 
And the birds sang sweet and low, 
As they flitted hither and fro. 

A sweet little maiden tripp'd over the dew. 

She was bright as a morning in May; 
And her beautiful eyes were as dreamy and blue 

As the haze of an October day. 
And her lips were as ripe and as ruby as w^ine. 
And her motion was light as a swaying vine, 
And her gold-brown hair so bright 
Reflected the ripples of light. 



73 POEMS OF MEMORY. 

A melody floated np into the air, 

As sweet as the trill of a bird. 
I called to this maid with the gold-brown hair, 

But she answered me never a word. 
Yet the sly, winning glance of her beautiful eye 
Still lives in my heart, though years have gone 

And I wonder are angels so fair 

As this maid with the gold-brown hair ? 




V/OODBINE. 

How oft I sit and idly gaze 
Upon the distant silver haze, 
And dream again the golden days 

Of long ago. 
I see again the ivy-vine 
Aronnd the pillar'd porch entwine ; 
The apple-trees spread out in line, 

All pink and snow. 

I seem again, in youth, to roam 

Where breeze-caressing willows moan 

Around my darling boyhood home — 

Revered Woodbine ! 

And fondly do my thoughts go back 

To watch the white-wing'd sloop and smack 

Flit o'er the river's silver track, 

In Summer-time. 
4 



74 POEMS OF MEMOBT. 

Again 1 see the waving wheat 

Turn brown beneath the Summer-heat, 

And hear the tread of coming feet 

In harvest-time. 
And as I roam among the trees, 
The reapers' voices on the breeze 
Seem like the murmur of the bees 

Around Woodbine. 



I often think of sister Bess, 

And how she'd chide my naughtiness ; 

And yet I loved her none the less, 

Or ever will. 
How oft we crept along the ledge, 
To gather berries from the hedge. 
And scatter them along the edge 

Of Elton Eill. 



And often has the welkin rung 
With songs that Bess and I have sung. 
In those bright days when we were young. 
And laughed at fears. 



POEMS OF MEMORY. 75 

Ah! then the jojs of earth were rife, 
For we were in the morn of life, 
And dreamed not of the toil and strife. 
Of after-years. 

Again the earth is green and fair, 
And perfumes, on the evening air, 
Come drifting through mj window, where 

I now recline, 
Dreaming again the days of yore — 
The golden time long since — before 
I was a wand'rer from the door 

Of sweet Woodbine ! 



rVE SOMETHING TO TELL. 

Come out in the beautiful sunshine. 

Come oat in the golden glow ; 
Oh ! come while the morning zephyrs 

Are whispering soft and low. 
Come, roam with me over the meadow, 

Where the grass is so soft and green — 
1 have something so sweet to tell you. 

My beautiful, beautiful queen ! 

Come out where the barley is waving, 

And quivering under the breeze. 
And the tassels are dancing so lightly 

To the hum of the murmuring bees. 
Come out to the shadowy woodland. 

Where the trees are all emerald green ; 
For I've something so sweet to tell you, 

My beautiful, beautiful queen ! 



POEMS OF MEMORY. 77 

I know of a greenwood bower, 

Far out in the woodland wild ; 
'Tis hidden awaj from all the world, 

Save the birds and the zephyrs mild. 
Below is a velvety carpet, 

Above is an emerald screen ; 
Do come, for I've something to tell you, 

My beautiful, beautiful queen ! 

You are bright as a flower this morning. 

With your ribbons of scarlet and snow ;— 
I knew you would come, my darling ; 

My heart had foretold me so. 
You wish me to tell you my secret ? 

Oh ! can you not guess what I mean ? 
Then, I'll tell you, my darling : I love you ! 

My beautiful, beautiful queen ! 




^^^1 


-^!' 


1^^^:^^^P^ 




^^^ 


[^^^'jr^K,.^':^:^^^^^^^ 



A REMINISCENCE OF YOUTH. 

The balmiest days of tlie year had come, 

When nature — her Summer-work done — 
Sat peacefully back in her Autumnal chair, 

And smilingly talked with the sun. 
The leaves were beginning to brown beneath 

The mellowy-golden blaze; 
And the far-off hills like phantoms appear'd 

'[N^eath mantles of silvery haze. 

The hedges were dropping their leafy screens. 

And the branches were growing bare ; 
And the blue-bells, shaken by Autumn winds, 

A requiem rang in the air. 
Away thro' the meadow, and over the moor. 

Away to the wild woodland. 
Thro' stubble, and brier, and brake we roam'd 

Together, with basket in hand. 



POEMS OF MEMORY. 79 

With hearts as light as the white thistle-downs 

That floated on every breeze, 
We clambered the high rail-fence by the wood, 

And climbed up the hickory-trees. 
And laughing and shouting, as only boys can. 

At the glorious prize we had found. 
We shook from the branches the ripe-brown nuts. 

And showered them down to the ground. 

But that has been years ; ah ! long years ago ; 
And we the bright dream shall never more 
know — 
i^Tever again ! 
For Kobin has flown to the Kingdom of God — 
His body is lying beneath the green sod 
In the little churchyard, where the willow-trees 
nod 
To Robin Tremaine ! 




THE SOUTHERN MAID^S 
LAMENT. 

Under the odorous orange-tree 

Sadly and lonely I mourn for thee ! 

Ah ! where do you linger, away from me ? 

My poor heart is well-nigh breaking ! 
You promised to come when the rich perfume, 
Which hides in the bell of the orange-bloom, 
Was filtered below over Winter's tomb 

By the south wind's gentle shaking. 

My heart is untuned to the blithesome glees 
Which come from the moors, where the cypress- 
trees 
Are waving their branches aloft in the breeze, 
With moss-curtains swinging beneath. 



POEMS OF MEMORY. 81 

The Spring, and the Summer, and Winter have 

passed, — 
Another lone Summer is coming on fast, — 
Ah ! I fear that my love-dream is over at last. 
And peace will come only in death ! 

Sadly I wept when you bade me good-bye ; 
You chided me, saying, the time would soon fly, 
And that you would surely return by-and-by; 

And then we should never be parted. 
You vowed to be faithful ! and now 'tis a vear 
Since you promised to come, and you are not 

here. 
You have taken a bride of the ITorth, I fear, 

And left me to die broken-hearted ! 

4* 




DREAMING. 

When Morning hangs the lamp of day 

Against the arch of bhie, 
And em'rald meads are dotted o'er 

With beads of diamond dew, 
And zephyrs, like the thoughts of love, 

Roam "unrestrained and free 
Across the sunlit, gold-green hills, 

'Tis then I dream of thee. 



And when the arid I^oon has come. 

With quiet, golden glow, 
And naught is heard through all the glen 

Except the gentle flow 
Of brooks, my spirit roams with thee 

Through wild woodland and glade- — 
Through ever-changing floods of light 

And moving; veils of shade. 



P0EM8 OF MEMORY. 83 

When Evening draws her dusky veil 

Athwart the light of day, • 
And on the peaceful brow of night 

The south winds fondly play ; 
And twilight's soft and mystic hues 

Fall lightly, greeting me 
With song of birds, and breath of flowers, 

Ah! then I dream of thee. 

From early morn till morn again 

I dream, sweet one, of thee; 
What happiness 'twould be to know 

That thou dost think of me ! 




AN AUTUMN STORM. 

All day there came from the southern clime 

A breeze like the breath of Spring; 
And the mullein decked his waving plume, 

And bowed like a living thing. 
And a misty haze of purple swept 
Over the valley, and slowly crept — 
A mystic, filmy screen — 
Along the wild ravine. 

The god of day, in a blaze of light, 

Had slowly sunk to rest, 
"When suddenly veered the changeful winds. 

And shifted 'round to the west ; 
But first a stillness, like the dead, 
Over the face of the earth was spread ; 
And sultry grew the air. 
Like August burning there. 



POEMS OF MEMORY. 85 

Then slowly a mass of inky clouds 

Eolled up in the western sky, 
And, like a terrible banner of death. 

Came on with a moaning sigh. 
ITearer it came, and the lightning's flash 
Was followed quick by the thunder's crash. 
And the angry winds, let free, 
Dashed on over land and sea. 



Then heavy, o'er-weighted clouds gave down 

One sheet of drenching rain, 
And the storm-king's terrible voice was heard 

O'er valley, and hill, and plain; 
And the hemlock bent to the sweeping blast. 
And straighten'd not till the storm had passed, 
And his distant rumbling moan 
Came back as a dying groan. 



Then over the valley, and city, and plain, 

And over the mountain-crest, 
The mist-wreaths lay in their purple glow, 

As calm as an infant's rest ; 



86 P0EM8 OF MEMORY. 

And the moon shone out from her aznre height, 
And changed the deep gloom to a silver white, 

And the stars looked down serene 

Upon the peaceful scene. 




\VITHERED VIOLETS. 

How well I remember, 
That morn in September, 

We roamed where the violets bloom ; 
Where light zephyrs clove 
Their way through the grove. 

All laden with richest perfume. 

The flowers were bright 
With the tears of the night — 

Their petals all sparkling with dew; 
And the sun from the East 
Drank the drops from the least 

Of the tendrils of purple and blue. 

The brooklets were singing; 
The valleys were ringing 
With the tinkling of many a bell; 



88 POEMS OF MEMORY. 

The kine-herds were . lowing, 
As on they came, going 

To graze the green grass in the dell. 

The vines that were spread 
All about overhead 

Veiled the sun with an emerald screen 
Save one little ray 
That had struggled its way 

Thro' the masses of quivering green. 

Down at our feet 
Grew the violets sweet. 

With delicate leaflet and hue. 
I gathered them there 
In that greenwood lair. 

And shook off the diamonds of dew. 



The flowers have withered I culled for my love ; 

That soul was not true to its vow. 
Another has gathered the flower I prized, 

And life is all - desolate now. 



A MORNING RAMBLE. 

A MOENiNG in Spring ! American Spring ! 

The golden orb of day rolls slowly np 

The vaulted east, disbursing show'rs of light, 

With prodigal extravagance, across 

The green, dew-spangled meadows. ISTot a cloud 

Mars all the blue of overhanging skies. 

Save one sun-tinted, pearly flake, which fades. 

And slowly grows extinct, far down the west ; 

While fanning breezes drift from southern climes, 

As gently as the breath from angels' wings. 

Come, roam with me across the fields, sweet 

one ; 
Together we will quaff into our limgs 
The clover-scented air, and dream of naught 
But each the other. I will show to thee 



90 POEMS OF MEMORY. 

The little violet, just peeping up 

From out its mossy birth-couch; and I'll show 

How 'tis an, emblem of thy own sweet self — 

The purple tint upon its velvet leaves 

As chaste and delicate as are the thoughts 

Of thy pure heart. The soft perfume which 

floats 
Above its fairy cup is far less sweet 
Than thy rich breathing, when thou speak' st of 

love. 
Yon bush of snowy blooms, changed to a sheet 
Of burnished silver 'neath the glancing light. 
Is like thy brow, which sin has never stained. 
The dainty penciling upon this leaf 
Is like the silken fringe that veils the light 
From thy dark eye. 



Oh ! E^ature cannot be 
More beautiful than woman in her pride! 
For ]^ature fills the heart with life and joy; 
But woman, in her purity, doth lift 
The soul beyond the angels' sphere! 



POEMS OF MEMOBT. 91 

We've crossed 
The mossy carpet of the meads, and now 
Approach the wood. And hark! the blue-bird's 

song 
Chimes with the music of our hearts ; and see ! 
The trees have caught the em'rald gleam of 

Spring. 
The buds spread timidly their tiny leaves, 
And tinge to deeper hues beneath the sun ; 
Bees fill the air with dreamy murmuring; 
And mottle-breasted robins add their songs. 
The brown thrush ruffles up his little throat, 
And warbles forth his flute-like melody; 
And look! perched high above, on yonder bough, 
The squirrel, chattering in comic rage, 
As if to drive us from his sylvan home; 
While far across the fields, where apple-blooms 
Are quivering beneath the breeze, the quail 
Is piping to his mate. 

The Universe 
Seems bursting into song ! Dame ISTature's harp 
Is strung, and all the golden strings in tune; 



92 POEMS OF MEMORY. 

And merrily our swelling hearts resound 
To J^ature's chimes. 

Oh! is it not a boon — - 
A great God-given boon — these souls of ours. 
That bend in adoration to the grand, 
The beautiful, sublime, and wondrous works 
Of Nature's wonderful Artificer? 




MISCELLANEOUS POEMS. 




MISCELLANEOUS POEMS. 



THE DOOMED CITY. 

In peaceful rest the western city lay, 

Unconscious of the gathering of doom ; 
The moon rolled on upon its silver way, 

And, glancing down, half-smiled away the 
gloom. 
But, hark ! Whence comes that wild and fear- 
ful cry, 
"Which wakes the peaceful slumberer with 
fright ? 
What means that awful glare against the sky. 
That rises lurid on the brow of night? 



MI8CELLANE0TJ8 POEMS. 95 

It is the dreadful, deep-toned fire-bell, 

Which wakes the echoes with its wild alarm-^- 
That lurid glare against the sky doth tell 

The roused sleeper of impending harm. 
The besom of destruction onward came — 

A roaring, writhing, leaping sea of fire ! 
On swept the life-devouring tongues of flame, 

And left behind but desolation dire ! 

Tongue cannot tell the deep despair and woe 

Which follow sudden loss of friends and home! 
Oh ! Ye so wreck'd a few short hours ago. 

May God watch over you where'er you roam. 
And ye who life, health, home, and friends still 
hold. 

Oh! hearken to the cry of those in need; 
And God will prosper you a thousand-fold 

For every kind, unselfish word and deed. 




\VE'VE GONE THROUGH LIFE 
TOGETHER. 

We'ee growing old — -my love and I— 

The shades of life are nearing ; 
We're drifting slowly down the tide, — • 

The other shore's appearing. 
But life don't seem a worthless thing— 

A joy now gone forever — 
Because we've journeyed hand-in-hand, 

And gone through life together. 



And if, at times, our path grew dark, 
We ne'er gave way to sorrow; 

Because we knew the sky would be 
All olf^sLY ascain to-morrow. 



MISCELLANEOUS POEMS. 97 

Our youthful love has never waned — 

Our hearts are young as ever; 
And thus, for threescore years and ten, 

We've gone through life together. 

We've always lent a helping hand 

To those who were in trouble ; 
The consciousness of duty done 

Has more than paid us double. 
We've passed the time allotted here; 

And when from earth we sever, 
We pray the Heav'nly gates to ope, 

And take us both together. 




NEVER DESPAIR. 

Wil desperandum! Don't give up 

Wheii fickle Fortune does not fawn ; 
The darkest night will have an end, 

And day will surely follow dawn. 
The blackest cloud that ever rose 

Will pass aw^ay, its fury spent ; 
And every sorrow we endure 

Is by our Heav'nly Father sent. 



The storm and sunshine both are giv'n 
By One who knows our every need ; 

Each bitter grief some lesson proves, 
If we are wise enough to heed. 



MISCELLANEOUS POEMS. 99 

What if the waves roll high and dark, 
And with the storm we have to cope ? 

There's many a tide of battle turned 
By Courage, hand-in-hand with Hope ! 

If friends forsake us in our need. 

There's nothing gained by giving up; 
The sweetest draught will sweeter be. 

If we have drained the bitter cup. 
For, Oh ! how sweet the breath of Spring 

When Winter-winds have taken flight ; 
And 'tis by contrast with the dark, 

We learn the value of the light. 

I^il desperandum ! Struggle on! 

And keep in view the promise-bow ; 
There's something in the future can 

Atone for every present woe. 




A SUMMER RHYME. 

The Spring has gone, and June is here- 
The fairest month of all the year. 

And down the hills 

The little rills, 

In frantic freaks. 

Dash o'er the peaks, 
And mingling with the drifting spraj, 
They join the river far away. 

The mocking-bird. 
With grateful trill, 

Is cheerly heard 
Along the hill. 

The feather'd throng 
, } Join in the song, 

^/liid waft the melodies along. 



MISCELLANEOUS POEMS 101 

The roses bloom ; 

And sweet perfume 

Allures the bees 

To drain the lees 
Of blossoms pink and white. 
Come, wander with me, little maid. 
Along the edge of yonder glade, 
And 'neath a cloud of cooling shade 
I'll cull thee dainty flowers; 

And blossoms sweet 

About thy feet 
Shall fall in feath'ry showers. 

The breeze shall come, 
And eager sip 

The honey from 
Thy dewy lip, 
Then lightly trip 
Away o'er mountain, hill, and dale. 
And over forest, field, and vale. 

To brush the dew 

From oak and yew, 

From meadow-grass 

And wild morass. 



103 MISCELLANEOUS POEMS. 

And scatter beads 
Among the weeds 

That lie beneath the waving reeds, 
Where little fish, 
"With ne'er a wish 

Beyond the ebb and flow of tides, 
About the brooks. 
In little nooks. 

Turn up their flashing silver sides. 
The Fay of Spring 
Is on the wing, 
And sweet perfume 
Of flowers in bloom 

Is floating over Winter's tomb. 




ODD JOE, THE ORGAN- 
GRINDER. 

You are right, friend; that organ is pretty well 
worn — 

I've heard it remarked before — 
It wasn't quite new when it first came to me, 

And Pve had it five years or more. 

Good-natured? Oh yes, sir; I try to seem gay; 

I find it pays best to be so. 
Queer chap? So the boys of the regiment 
thought — 

In the army they called me "Odd Joe." 



'J 



Come away, Madeline; don't bother the gent 
With your doleful " Pennies for food ;" 

You'll excuse her, my friend — ^it's a habit she's 
got— 
You see she don't mean to be rude. 



104 MI8CELLANE0XT8 POEMS. 

My daughter ? Oh yes, sir ; that's my little girl ; 

She gathers the pennies, poor thing — 

But Nell was the brave little soldier for gain. 

Because she was pert and could sing. 



She was brighter and fairer than this little one. 

Yes, dead — thought I told you before. 
Don't cry, Mad. ; for, ever since l^ellie is gone 

You know I have loved you the more. 



My arm, sir? At Eichmond. Best one of the 
two ; 
And this scratch I got there, as well : 
I went down the first charge — Yes, I think it 
was grape. 
Or it might have been part of a shell. 



That tune there that Maddy is playing you now, 
We heard above all the commotion — 

Ah ! many a soul has gone up to its God 
To the tune of "The Gem of the Ocean." 



MISCELLANEOUS POEMS. 105 

I havn't been good for much ever since then; 

Ten months in a prison, shut out 
From the world, and the light, and all tidings 
of home. 

Isn't likely to make a man stout. 

When I came home at last — ^that's the worst of 
it all— 

My wife was gone! Dead? — Better dead! 
She had left the two children in poverty, sir, 

And with her false lover had fled ! 

Why leave them behind ? Why, I'll tell you, my 
friend ; 
Little Mad., there, looks very like me; 
And her innocent face would have been a re- 
proach 
To the bad-hearted woman, you see. 

For ^YG> years I've tramped it thro' country and 
town. 
And peered in each face that went by 
There's a wrong to be righted— a sequel to come; 

For I'll find one, or both, 'fore I die! 

5* 



106 MISCELLANEOUS POEMS 

I am failing of late; and Pm troubled somewhat 
With a pain near this bayonet-thrust. 

But Pm proud of my scars; why, I'd give my 
left arm 
To save the Old Flag from the dust! 

Are you weeping for me ? Heaven bless you, 
my friend ; 
But I'm glad that I've caused you a tear — 
When you're standing up yonder, those tears may 
outweigh 
Half the sins you've committed down here. 




MAGDALENE. 

A Sequel to " Odd Joe^ 

Why do the people stand gazing at me? 
Some jeer — others pass with a frown. 

It seems that the very dogs hush where I go- 
Is poverty strange in the town ? 

Or do my worn features reveal my past life — 
Can they read my sad history there? 

Ah, me! Had they known me in happier days, 
I'd think it no wonder they stare ! 



There wasn't a happier home in the land — 
Ah! why for that man did I fall? 

A few fleeting months— then he cast me away— 
He sacrificed naught — I lost all. 



108 MISCELLANEOUS POEMS. 

It's the way of the world — I alone bear the 
blame 

For the blight of my life in its prime; 
Yet it seems that the misery I have endured 

Might almost atone for my crime ! 

Poor Joe ! I have followed him month after 
month, 

Until they have grown into years ; 
But when I have almost the courage to speak, 

My tongue is chained down by my fears. 

My child! If I only dared speak to my child — 
Just to press one kiss on her brow — 

Poor Nellie ! She died in his arms long ago — 
Ah, well ! she is happier now. 

Joe doesn't look now like the strong, brave man 

I loved ere I went to the bad— 
Oh! I must not remember — my brain is on 
fire — 

Oh, horror! If I should go mad! 



MISCELLANEOUS POEMS 109 

* * -x- « * 

How lonely I am, standing here in the night, 
In the presence of Conscience and God. 

Not a friend have I now in the dark, wide 
world — 
Yes, death! There is rest 'neath the sod. 

How mournful the sad river moans at my feet, 
KoUing on to its grave in the sea. 

One plunge — what a thought! — 'neath the mur- 
muring waves 
Might wash out my past misery ! 

They say 'tis a quick and a painless death — 
But after death ? Ah ! who can tell ? 

Oh ! it cannot be worse than this torture of 
mind — 
I'll do it ! God pardon ! Farewell ! 




SMITHSONIAN PARK IN . 
SPRING-TIME. 

The King of Light mounts to his Eastern throne, 
Dispatching pursuivants with gleaming darts, 
Commanding each to pierce proud JN^ature's heart, 
And rouse it into breathing, throbbing life. 
The southern breezes, laden with perfume 
Of Spring's first offerings, invite me forth. 
I heed the silent call. With book in hand, 
I sally forth to walk within the park — 
My usual haunt ; and there I learn to read 
The teachings of our God from ]^ature's book.* 
The sky above is one vast sheet of blue — 
A blue so soft and delicate, it seems 
As though it would dissolve before the sight. 
My roving eye drops from the sky to earth, 
And, oh! what wondrous beauties greet my view! 
The graveled walks are lined with shading trees, 



MISCELLANEOUS POEMS 111 

Whose leaning branches almost kiss the ground. 
The white pine proudly heaves its verdant breast, 
And points its new-formed, spear-like buds to 

Heav'n. 
The tall wild-cherry stretches forth its arms. 
And waves its green-white blossoms to the breeze; 
And when the fast-maturing fruit doth cut 
The blossoms from the stem, it gently drops 
The withered blooms upon the sod beneath. 
The male catalpa showers to the ground 
Its purple, bell-like flowers, making earth 
Appear an em'rald carpet spangled o'er 
With amethystine gems of beauty rare. 
Beside low-growing pines, and underneath 
Wide, overhanging boughs, are placed rude seats — 
Kude wooden benches some, and others formed 
Of stakes drove down into the solid earth 
Till firmly set, with wooden plates atop. 
To one of these my footstep leads, and here 
I pause to gaze upon the lovely scene 
That, like a living panorama, lies 
Within my view. 

Yon haughty, tow'ring tree 
That lifts its lordly crest as if to top 



112 MISCELLANEOUS POEMS. 

The very clouds, and scarcely deigns to tilt 

Its slender leaves before the western breeze, 

The linden is. Majestical it stands. 

And bends its head alone when tempests howl, 

And blasts of fury, by the hurricane 

Let loose, come crashing through its yielding 

boughs. 
And even then it hisses forth its scorn, 
And fierce, sablime, defiant, casts away 
The tatters rent from out its em'rald robe, 
And challenges anew the angiy winds. 
And yet, proud as thou art, thou, too, canst be 
As gentle as the Summer-evening breeze. 
When all around is gentle, as 'tis now. 

I turn my gaze away from yonder tree. 

To watch two light-winged birds who flutter 

near. 
With merry chirp, they leave the branch over- 
head. 
And swiftly dart down to the ground ; then steal, 
With cautious step, toward me, pausing oft. 
With foot uplifted high, and tiny heads 
Bent either side, in comic watchfulness. 



MISCELLANEOUS POEMS. 113 

The boldest, with inquiring chirp, usurps 
One half my rustic bench ; but startled at. 
Perchance its own temerity, it flies 
In haste away, and keeps at distance safe. 
Chirp on, ye dainty harbingers of Heav'n, 
I would not harm ye for Golconda's wealth. 

How deep the solitude seems here, compared 
With busy,, noisy life beyond these gates. 
A dreamy quiet hangs upon the air. 
Unbroken, save by sighing winds among 
The quiv'ring aspen-leaves. Yet faintly comes, 
At times, the smothered din of busy life 
Within the city's pale ; and thro' the trees 
The city's turrets brightly glow, beneath 
A flood of golden light. 

Oh I how I love 
To lie upon the soft, green earth, beneath 
The overhanging boughs, and dream away 
The morning-hours in meditative muse. 
With just the faintest knowledge that the world — 
The noisy, striving world without — exists ! 



AVAITING FOR ANOTHER 
KISS. 

How fondly I recall, sweet one, 

That June-soft summer night 
We sat together in the lane, 

Beneath the mellow light 

That glinted all the leafy boughs 

Which quivered overhead, 
And o'er thy lustrous, • waving hair 

A veil of silver spread. 



Light zephyrs, from the distant wood. 

Came, laden with perfume 
Fresh caught from flow'rs that sought, in 
vain, 

To rival thy rich bloom. 



MISCELLANEOUS POEMS. 115 

The velvet grass, all dotted o'er 

With drops of diamond dew, 
Reflected twinkling stars who peep'd 

From out their home of blue. 

But brighter were thy sparkling eyes 

A thousand times to me; 
And sweeter far the loving kiss 

I there received from thee, 

Than perfume of a wilderness 

Of flowers all in bloom — 
Thy honeyed breath far sweeter than 

Arabia's rich perfume. 

I'm standing by the rustic seat, 

Beyond the orchard-stile; 
I'm waiting fur thy regal step, 

The sunlight of thy smile. 

The sun has gone behind the hills. 

But left a band of light 
Across the cloudless western sky, 

To keep at bay the night. 



116 MISCELLANEOUS POEMS. 

The evening dews are falling fast, 
The birds have gone to sleep ; 

Yet still beside our trysting-place 
My earnest watch I keep. 

Oh ! do not tarry longer ! Fly 
On wings of love to me — 

I'm watching, waiting, dear one, for 
Another kiss from thee. 





A QUANDARY. 

I'd give a world could I but know 

If e'er slie thinks of me ; 
Or if her love be all for him, 

Or if her heart be free. 
She trembles when I take her hand, 

The crimson comes and goes 
Upon her cheek, like sunny rays 

Upon the Summer-rose. 

And yet she oft coquets with him, 

And he, of course, with her ; 
"While I, poor martyr to my love, 

Dare not a word demur. 
I wonder would she love me more 

If I had wealth and fame? 
If she were poor, I know that I 

Would love \eY all the same. 



118 MISCELLANEOUS POEMS. 

Sometimes she sweetly smiles, and then 

My heart is all ablaze. 
Ah I who could keep from loving her 

"Who has such winning ways? 
And yet she just as sweetly smiles 

On him, when he is near. 
And then my heart is ice again — 

She loves him most, I fear ! 



What shall I do to win her love. 

Or end this fearful strife ? 
Shall I begin to tear my hair, 

And vow to end my life. 
By plunging madly from the dome 

Of our great capitol ? 
ITo — that would leave the field to him, 

And that would cap-it-all. 



You see I'm in a deuced fix ! 

I know not what to do 
To rid me of this constant pain 

That gnaws my heart;' do you? 



MISCELLANEOUS POEMS. 



119 



I'll go at once and ask her if 
She loves me? And if "^o\'' 

I think the best thing I can do 
Is — just to let her go! 




SKATING PLEASURES. 

There is nothing so pretty in all the wide world 

As a beaiitifal girl on the ice- 
Though any maid robed in a skating costume, 

Of course, must look pretty and nice. 
How smoothly she glides o'er the silvery sheen, 

And gracefully bends to and fro, 
With a motion as light as the dip of a bird. 

Her bright eyes and cheeks all aglow. 



And if it should happen to be her first trial, 

How confiding she leans on your arm; 
While the ripple of water is music less sweet 

Than her sharp little shrieks of alarm. 
How delightful to pick the dear little one up, 

Just after each comical tumble — 
So gratefully smiling, provokingly sweet. 

That your heart will be all in a jumble. 



MISCELLANEOUS POEMS. 121 

A skating-pond, too, on a clear, stilly night, 

With the merry stars twinkling above, 
And the moon looking down with encouraging 
smile. 

Is an excellent place to make Jove. 
For example, she calls you a "darling gallant; 

What a trouble to you she must be ! '' 
Then whisper, you'd "think it no trouble at all 

To be troubled for life." Do you see? 

Then there is the lacing and unlacing skates, 

And thousands of other delights; 
Besides the walk home, with the angelic one 

In the dim of the star-lighted nights. 
And then when you bid her good-night at the 
door, 

Sweet words you can breathe in her ear — 

[f I didn't love Summer, I almost could wish 

That skating would last aU the year. 

6 




IS IT WRONG TO KISS? 

The frolicsome waves love to kiss the white 
sand, 

The zephyrs salute the green trees ; 
The golden sunbeams kiss the beautiful rose 

As it blushingly nods to the breeze. 

The daisy — ^most lowly and modest of flowers — 
Receives a night-kiss from the dew, 

And the winds touch the lips of the " emblem 
of love" — 
The violet, of purple and blue. 

The silvery moonbeams salute the hill-tops, 
The hill-shadows kiss the blue sea; 

And the bright little waves dance, caper, and 
sing. 
For a star-kiss from over the lea. 



MISCELLANEOUS POEMS. 123 

The tear-drops of heaven fall gently to earth 
To kiss the green grass; and in May 

The buds burst their tendrils in joy to receive 
A kiss from the Euler of Day. 

The birds kiss each other and twitter good- 
night, 

The clouds kiss the mist on the hill • 
The grape-vine embraces the old cherry-tree, 

And the pebbles are kissed by the rill. 

The ivy-vine clambers the moss-covered wall 

To get the first sip of the dew— 
If ISTature, then, seems only bom to be kissed, 

I don't think it wrong, love. Do you? 




MODERN W^EDDING-RITES. 

"Wilt thou take this brown-stone front, 

These carriages — this diamond, 
To be the husband of thy choice. 

East locked in bonds of Hymen? 
And wilt thou leave thy home and friends 

To be his loving wife ? 
And help to spend his large income 

So long as thou hast life ? " 

"I will!" the modest maid replies, 
The love-light beaming in her eyes. 

"And wilt thou take this waterfall, 

This ostentatious pride, 
And all these unpaid milliners' bills. 

To be thy chosen bride? 



MISCELLANEOUS POEMS. 125 

And wilt thou love and cherish her 
While thou hast life and health; 

But die as soon as possible, 

And leave her all thy wealth?" 

" I will ! " the fearless swain replies, 
And eager waits the nuptial-ties. 

^' Then I pronounce you man and wife ; 

And whom I've joined forever, 
The next best man may disunite, 

And the first Divorce Court sever." 




A CHILD'S LOGIC. 

A BABY girl knelt down to pray 
One morn. The mother said : 

" My love, why do we ever say, 
'Give us om* daily bread?' — 



"Why ask not for a week or more?" 

The baby bent her head 
In thoughtful mood toward the floor — 

" We want it fresh I " she said. 




AFTER THE PLAY. 

Deop the curtain — ^let's away, 
The scene of mimic-life is done; 

Joy to the hero of the play, 
The villain's race is rmi. 

Put out the Hghts, and close the book, 
And hide it in its usual nook; 
The players need its aid no more — 
Their hour of toil is o'er. 

Yes, drop the curtain— let them go. 
And doff their gaudy stage array; 

The flashing gems would scarcely show 
Against the light of day. 



128 MISCELLANEOUS POEMS. 

Some brief applause they may have gained, 
Ey mirth-provoking look or word; 

What care we that the mirth was feigned? 
The heart may cry unheard. 

Ah, well ! the cheer the world may give 
Are flowers strewn along their way ; 

Oh"! may the memory ever live 
To soothe their darkest day. 




THE FEYER DREAM. 



THE FEVER DREAM. 



A S0N6-0Y0LE. 



PROLOGUE. 

The poet writhed upon his bed 

In agony of pain — 
Through all his frame a fever sped 

That seemed to sear his brain. 
He grasped the cup of agony 

And drained it to the lees. 
And when the fever ebbed away 

His life began to freeze. 
An Angel swept the pain away. 

And soothed him on her breast; 
His mind forsook the earthy clay — 

The Dream will speak the rest. 



THE DREAM.— CUPID'S FOLLY. 
I. — Discontent. 

YoTJNa Cupid stood, musing, one day in Heaven, 

Beneath the soft shade of a tree; 
A rivulet laving his bare little feet. 

And bright flowers brushing his knee. 



"I am idle in Heaven — ^there's little to do — 

If I could I would speedily flee it. 
'Tis whispered in Heaven, a new world is built; 

And, oh ! I am longing to see it ! 
I'll spin me a rope, and I'll braid it of gold — " 

And his cunning eye twinkled with mirth — 
"And I'll wheedle St. Peter to open the gate. 

And I'll swing myself quickly to Earth!" 



132 THE FEVER DBEAM, 

Tiieii lie braided a rope, and a girdle he spun, 

And wrought a new quiver of gold. 
And sprinkled it over with violet dew, 

And filled it with darts, new and old; 
And he caught a stray sunbeam, and made a 
new bow; 

Then his cunning eye twinkled with mirth — 
"]^ow I'll wheedle St. Peter to open the gate, 

And I'll swing myself down to the Earth!" 



II. — The Request. 

"St. Peter, tell me, is it true 
A new world has been built? 

I long to see it — ^let me through, 
And ask me what thou wilt!" 



" Begone, young sir I Tempt not thy fate ! 

I may not let thee out — 
The few who enter by this gate 

Ne'er wish to turn about." 



THE FEVER DBEAM. 133 

" IVe heard it is a world most rare ; 

To view it, oli ! I burn! 
Pray set the golden gate ajar — 

One look, and I'll return." 

"What hast thou 'neath thy mantle, sir?" 

St. Peter questioned stern. 
"I have my bow and quiver, sir, 

And darts of silver fern. 

"I have this cord of braided gold, — 

I'll ^x it to the gate. 
And when thou dost the door unfold 

I'll aid thee with my weight." 



III. — The FligtHt. 

St. Peter slept, 

Young Cupid wept — 

In vain he sought the key the keeper kept. 

The lock was turned; 

His young heart yearned 

To view the world of which he late had learn'd. 



134 THE FEVER DREAM. 

He pulled the rope, 
Eut could not hope 
To make the mighty golden portal ope. 



At last there came an outward stroke; 

Upon the air of Heaven it broke; 

St. Peter heard the sound and quickly woke. 

"Who knocks so late 

Upon the gate, — 
So loud and oft, as though ye cannot wait ? " 



Then Cupid grasp' d his braided rope. 
And when the massive gate did ope, 
His eye shone bright with cunning mirth, 
And quick he swung himself to Earth. 
But as he fled his home of late 
His mantle clung upon the gate. 
"So much the better," Cupid said; 
" I'm freer now to use my head." 



THE FEVER DBEAM. 135 

lY. — Mischief. 
Young Cupid flitted o'er the mead, 

Across the orchard lane ; 
The hills began to hide the sun, 

And day began to wane. 
A maiden sat beneath a tree, 

Beneath the blossoms sweet. 
And Cupid shook the blossoms down 

About her pretty feet. 

He threw a dart. 
It struck her heart. 

She writhed in agony; 
He drew the dart 
From out her heart. 

And laughed in merry glee. 

" I'll come again 
To heal the pain, 

And rhyme thee love with dove ; 
I go away, 
Am gone a day. 

And bring thee love for love." 



136 THE FEVER BREAM. 

y. — ^Repaeatioi^. 

A yonth, made brown with ceaseless moil, 

Slow trod behind the plow, 
With crystal beads of honest toil 

Slow dripping from his brow. 
And as he trod 
The mellow sod, 

A merry song he sung 5 
His heart was light, 
His eye was bright, 

Gare to the wind he flung. 

Then Cupid raised a flaming dart, 

And held it high aloft. 
In sweet perfumes 
Of apple-blooms 

He dipt it once and oft. 
He threw the dart. 
It pierced his heart, 

He writhed in agony; 
He drew the dart 
From out his heart. 

And laughed in merry glee. 



TEE FEVER DREAM. 137 

He lured him to the maiden's side, 
And gave her to him for his bride. 
Her eye became 
A living flame, 

A sun-kissed drop of dew; 
He brought a love 
That rhymed with dove. 

And far away he flew. 



YI. — Eemoese. 

Young Cupid lay upon a mound, 

Among the waving hollies ; 
And, prone upon the dewy ground. 

Bewailed his wanton folKes. 
The night was dark, 
And not a spark 

Shone from the gloomy sky; 
The wind was chill. 
And whistled shrill. 

Like wail of infant cry. 



138 THE FEVER DUE AM, 

Young Cupid mourned his mantle lost; 
His Jiair upon the breeze was tost ; 
The frosty dew 
Upon him grew, 

And turned his limbs a purple hue. 

Then Cupid started from the ground, 

And stood among the hollies, 
And stamped his foot upon the mound, 

And said : " I'll mend mj follies ! 
I'll straight return to Peter's gate, 

And ne'er again offend; 
For, though I've learned my folly late, 

'Tis ne'er too late to mend!" 



YII. — Humiliation. 

"St. Peter, ope the gate again, 

And hearken to my tale of pain : 

My wings are wet with misty rain. 

My limbs are chill. 

The wind blows shrill; 

I bow me to thy wiser will. 



THE FEVER dream:. 139 

Praj Ope the door ! 

My folly o'er, 

The truant I will be no more." 

"Who prays to enter here so late — 
And knocks so timid on the gate? 
The keeper hath no need be prond — 
If you have right, knock bold and loud*-'' 

St. Peter turned the golden lock. 

And sprang the bolt with mighty shock. 

He girded tight his golden belt; 

And swung the gate apart ; 
And on the threshold Cupid knelt, 

With ne'er a bow or dart. 



YIII. — The Deceee. 

"St. Peter, let me in, I pray; 

I come in deep repentance." 
"Young Cupid, lise and haste away, 

I cannot change thy sentence! 



140 THE FEVER DREAM. 

Thou hast committed grievous sin — ■ 

A crime ne'er done by mortal — 
Therefore, thou must not come within 

The shadow of this portal 
Until thy sin thou hast atoned, 

And true repentance proved. 
Thy name will ne'er in Heaven be owned 

Till all the world hath loved! 

"Go, seek again thy golden bow, 

And find thy truant dart; 
And wander ever to and fro. 

And pierce each mortal heart. 

"To roam for ages be thy lot 

Thus , naked through the world below ; 

But heat or cold shall harm thee not. 
Or ever warp thy dart, or bow. 

This be thy comfort in thy fall : 

Thy will is law — ^Love conquers all!" 

St. Peter closed the golden gate. 
And left young Cupid to his fate. 



THE FEVER DREAM. 141 

" M.J sin hath faH'n upon my head ; 
My punishment is just," he said. 
But as he took his Earthward flight, 
He Yowed to be a merry wight; 
And speedily his power prove. 
And quickly bring the world to love. 
And if his power failed with any. 
Then many should love one — one many. 




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